Market Watch, 2 November 2026: a Boksburg lamp, an Arras, a Hunter Valley NIFE and a big US auction
Six finds from four continents, and one collector’s lifetime collection going under the hammer in West Virginia.
DOEP Eng. Works, Boksburg: Cambrian-type flame safety lamp
- Where
- Bob Shop (South Africa), item 699617638
- Location
- South Africa (dealer)
- Seen
- 2 Nov 2026
A local South African version of the E. Thomas & Williams “Cambrian” pattern from Aberdare. South African-made flame lamps turn up far less often than the Welsh and English lamps shipped to the Rand. Genuine ET&W Cambrians usually sell for about £15–100 (A$30–190), so this one carries a premium for the maker. Modern Cambrians are still made in Wales, so always check the plate and the wear.
Arras Type “P” safety lamp with Baccarat glass, 267 mm
- Where
- Kleinanzeigen (Germany), item 3558261015
- Location
- Dortmund, Germany
- Seen
- 2 Nov 2026
Arras (SAEAE) was founded in 1898 by the engineers Catrice and Neu. The factory was destroyed in the First World War; production restarted in Paris in 1922 and later moved back to Arras. In 1955 the firm merged with Maxéi and stopped making mine lamps. Early lamps marked “Catrice” or “SAEAE” are the ones to look for; later Arras lamps are fairly common. German dealers ask about €139–159, so this one is fairly priced.
NIFE electric miners’ hand lamp with battery, seller-dated 1930s
- Where
- Gumtree Australia, item 1345105599
- Location
- Pelaw Main, NSW
- Seen
- 2 Nov 2026
A Hunter Valley piece: a boxy steel hand lamp with a bar handle, sold not working. NIFE was the nickel-iron (alkaline) battery maker whose name appears on electric mine lamps. No maker’s plate shows in the photos, so treat the ID and date as the seller’s until you’ve seen it in hand. Old alkaline cells hold potassium hydroxide: see our collector safety check.
Casartelli’s Patent miner’s dial, in its case
- Where
- eBay Australia, item 318313139615
- Location
- UK seller
- Seen
- 2 Nov 2026
The mine surveyor’s workhorse, from J. Casartelli & Son of Manchester. Giuseppe Luigi Casartelli bought the Ronchetti instrument business at 43 Market Street in 1851 and patented a graduated arc fitted above the compass: that’s the “PATENT MINING DIAL” engraved on this one. Past results: £382 at Christie’s in 2004, £310 at Charles Miller in 2012 and £180 hammer at Brettells in 2021.
We don’t reuse sellers’ photos.
J.W. Stonehouse, Denver: “Indestructible mine bell signals” porcelain sign
- Where
- eBay, item 298712782367
- Location
- USA
- Seen
- 2 Nov 2026
The sign-maker advertising his own product. James Wesley Stonehouse, a sign painter, saw that miners moving between mines met a different set of bell signals at each one, and lobbied for standard codes posted at every level. When the law came in, he had the signs ready to sell. He was working from Denver by 1912. Small “mine bell signal” signs from India are modern reproductions.
Auction: one-owner US lamp collection, 594 lots (Kaufman sale 9342)
- Where
- Kaufman Realty & Auctions, sale 9342
- Location
- Bridgeport, West Virginia
- Seen
- 2 Nov 2026
A lifetime collection: 150+ flame safety lamps, 400+ oil-wick cap lamps, tins, gas detectors and blasting gear, all starting at $0. Lots close from Wednesday 11 November, 10:30 am Broken Hill time, with a 15% buyer’s premium. Shipping is at the buyer’s expense, so ask for a quote to Australia before you bid: postage and GST on brass can cost more than the hammer price. Highlights when we looked: an A-H-G gas tester (lot 8), a Wolf radiator lamp (lot 5) and an Arras with hook (lot 14).
Australian dollar amounts are approximate, at the rate on the day seen. Every price here also goes into the Old Flames price guide. Seen something we should look at? Post it in the Old Flames Facebook group.
